LinkedIn Launches Ads API, Enabling Custom Tools For Large-Scale Campaigns

Anthony Ha

Anthony Ha is a writer at TechCrunch, where he covers media, advertising, and random startups. Previously, he worked as a staff tech writer at Adweek, a senior editor at the tech blog VentureBeat, and a local government reporter at the Hollister Free Lance, where he won awards from the California Newspaper Publishers Association for breaking news coverage and writing.... → Learn More

Wednesday, November 28th, 2012
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LinkedIn is announcing a new Ads API, which could bring more large-scale social marketing campaigns to the professional networking site.

In a blog post that the company plans to publish on its marketing website later today, Marketing Solutions Lead Jen Weedn writes that API access has been one of the most-requested features from LinkedIn’s “tens of thousands” advertisers. Until now, those advertisers were limited to the company’s self-serve interface, but with the API outside developers can build customized tools for running LinkedIn campaigns. Weedn says:

What if you could automatically generate dozens of campaigns and test hundreds of creative elements across LinkedIn’s B2B targeting facets? What if you could reallocate marketing spend across channels including LinkedIn in real time to optimize your goals? Now you can.

The initial API partners include Adobe (specifically through its AdLens product), business advertising startup Bizo, and social marketing platform Unified. LinkedIn says approved API developers will receive high-level support, including “a direct line of communication with our product management team.”

Interested developers can read more and apply here.


Company: Bizo
Website: bizo.com
Launch Date: May 20, 2008
Funding: $16M

Bizo is how B2B marketers identify and reach their target audiences online. Fueled by Bizo’s audience of more than 120 million professionals around the world, including more than 85% of the U.S. business population, the Bizo Marketing Platform can precisely target business people by specific business demographic criteria. Bizo’s customers use the platform’s data management and targeting capabilities to reach audiences anywhere they travel online and engage those that come to their websites, landing pages, and social channels. Bizo has...

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Company: Unified
Launch Date: April 2011
Funding: $14M

Unified is the enterprise marketing technology company for top global brands and agencies to activate social audiences and impact consumer actions.

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